Revelation 3:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The fifth group, order, or way of life of the saints bears witness to indifferent people who act otherwise than one ought to act in this world. They are empty in works and are Christians only in name. Therefore He persuades them that, if in some way they abandon dangerous indifference, they can be saved. "Strengthen," He says, "the things that remain and are near death; for I have not found your works perfect before My God" (Rev 3:2). For it is not enough for a tree to live, flower, and bear no fruit. Likewise, it is not enough to be called a Christian and confess oneself to be one, without doing the works of a Christian.

The seven stars, as we explained earlier, signify the seven angels. The seven spirits are either seven angels or the seven gifts of the Life-giving Spirit, because both are under Christ's authority. He governs the former as Master, and of the Other He is the Giver, as consubstantial with Him. He threatens the church because it is dead in good works and bears only the name of living faith.

Earlier I already spoke about the seven stars, which John now calls the spirits of God. Now we must certainly listen to what is said about those who live in Sardis.

It is said: "I know your works; you have a name as though you live," by a virtuous life in following God, "but you are dead" in sins.

For in the divine Scriptures those who remain in sin are commonly called dead. This is shown by what the all-wise Paul wrote about those who passed from unbelief to faith in Christ: "And you, who were dead through trespasses, He made alive together with Christ" (Eph 2:5).

The Shepherd also says: "It is evident that he who descends into the water of the baptismal font is dead, while he who comes out is alive."

"In sins" is Oecumenius' addition. In the text of Ephesians itself, the Apostle includes himself among those converted. See The Shepherd of Hermas 3.9.16.

Here John affirms that the angel, that is, the bishop, is not sufficiently resourceful in correcting sinners. At the same time, he praises him because he has people in white garments. This corresponds to the very name sard, that is, a precious stone.

Indeed, you seem to yourself to be alive. Yet if you do not keep watch in correcting the unrighteous, you will be found among the dead.

The works of a leader are incomplete before the face of God, even if he appears blameless before men, when he does not apply all his effort also to raising up others.

It is precisely by the absence of vigilance that one can explain events such as those that occurred in Jerusalem in 638, in Constantinople in 1453, and in Russia in 1917.

Paradise, heaven, and eternal blessedness are appointed for us if we live piously here. We must fulfill the vows given by us at Baptism, repeated at monastic tonsure, and completed by vows of non-possession and virginity.

Yet we pay no attention to the blessedness prepared for us. A sleeping man is insensible to the pleasures and delights of this life that surround him and await his awakening. So we never think of the ineffable good things to come.

Our thought is always on earth, wholly in earthly pleasures and earthly cares. Are we not dead in soul, though we appear alive to ourselves and to those who have a fleshly mind and look only with fleshly eyes?

"To the angel of the Church in Sardis." Sardis, now the poor Turkish village of Sard, was in antiquity a rich and extensive city, the capital of Lydia, by the River Pactolus near Mount Tmolus. The Christians now living there have neither church nor priest. "You have a name that you live, but you are dead." That is, by name you are alive, or virtuous, but in reality you are dead, or immoral. Some see in this an indication of hypocrisy and pretense, but this is difficult to apply to a whole Church.

What does the Lord command to be written to the angel of the Church of Sardis? Rev 3:1-6. More reproach than consolation. The works of the Church of Sardis are imperfect before God. What the Sardians received and heard when they were instructed by the preaching of the Gospel has been forgotten, or is not being fulfilled in their life.

Therefore, if they do not repent, they may be subjected to sudden judgment and condemnation from God. Yet even among them there are a few who have not defiled their garments.

Those who overcome passions and temptations will be clothed in white garments. They will be written in the book of life, and their names will be confessed before the heavenly Father and before the angels.

To the Church of Sardis, in the city of Sardis belonging to the province of Lydia, the Lord speaks as the One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

By this designation of Himself, He wishes to show that the fullness of spiritual life is contained in Him. From it the deadened members of the Church of Sardis can draw spiritual gifts, or life itself.

He is especially ready to bestow these spiritual riches upon the bishops, because they stand nearer to Him than all others. These stars of the Church are in His hand.

As for the condition of the Church of Sardis, judging by outward appearance it lives a proper Christian life. But if one looks within, it becomes clear that the soul has long since departed from this great body. Outward propriety conceals inner emptiness.